Apply to a Master’s Program at SP2
Take the next step toward a lifetime of impact. Apply to one of our master’s programs and build the theoretical knowledge, practical experience, and leadership skills needed to excel as a social worker, social policy analyst, or nonprofit leader.
Application Components
All applicants to Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice master’s programs must submit the following materials as part of their application. Additional program-specific requirements are listed below.
Online Application
Start your admissions process by submitting your application online. After creating an account, you can return to your application multiple times before submitting. You can track the status of your application and receipt of supporting materials at any time.
Basic Application Components:
- Resume: Submit a current resume as part of your online application
- Application Essay: Applicants are required to complete an application essay. Please respond to the questions listed in the application, adhering to the word limits provided.
- Personal Information and Background: Submit personal information like your given and preferred name, demographic information, employment historyand academic history.
Transcripts
Submit transcripts detailing all undergraduate and postgraduate study via the online application. Include coursework from your degree-granting institution(s), study abroad programs*, and any transfer institutions.
Requirements:
- Official transcripts (not screenshots)
- Clear display of name, enrollment dates, courses, credits, and grades
- International transcripts require a third-party evaluation (WES, Educational Perspectives, or other NACES-accredited service). More information can be found on our International Applicants page.
Do not mail hard copies of transcripts.
*Applicants must obtain a course-by-course evaluation for transcripts that reflect either:
- A degree earned at an institution outside the United States; or
- More than two semesters of study at an institution outside the United States.
- This requirement applies even if your coursework was taught in English or your transcript is issued in English
Letters of Recommendation
All master’s programs require three letters of recommendation, though the specific types of recommendations required vary by program. Please see the program-specific requirements below. All recommendations must be submitted directly through the online application by the recommender.
Applicants who graduated more than five years ago may substitute an employment or volunteer recommendation for the academic recommendation.
Test Scores
The GRE is not required for admission.
For international applicants whose first language is not English, information on examination requirements can be found on our International Applicants page.
Program-Specific Admissions Requirements
Master of Social Work (MSW)
The MSW program seeks applicants with strong academic preparation, a commitment to social work values, and the potential to succeed in graduate-level professional social work education. Admission decisions consider academic performance, relevant experience in human services, recommendation letters, and the application essay.
Applicants should have:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a liberal arts foundation that includes coursework in areas such as the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
- Applicants who do not have a background in liberal arts or social work may be required to take liberal arts courses prior to matriculation or may not be considered for admission.
- A strong academic record demonstrating readiness for graduate study.
- A liberal arts foundation that includes coursework in areas such as the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
- Personal and professional qualities including maturity, critical thinking, sound judgment, oral and written communication skills, integrity, respect for difference, self-awareness, and a commitment to social work values.
- Relevant experience in human services, including employment, internships, community engagement, or volunteer work. While not required, this experience is highly valued in the admissions review process.
Applicants to the Advanced Standing Program option must:
- Hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a CSWE-accredited, CASWE-accredited, or ISWDRES-approved equivalent program.
- Have completed the degree within the last five years.
- Earned grades of B or higher in all social work coursework.
- Demonstrate strong academic and field performance.
- Show readiness for advanced graduate study.
Full-Time and Part-Time Applicants
- One academic recommendation
- One work, internship, or community-service recommendation
- One additional recommendation of your choice
Advanced Standing Applicants
- One academic recommendation
- One work, internship, or community-service recommendation
- One recommendation from your undergraduate practicum placement site instructor
- If a letter from the placement site instructor is unavailable due to placement timing, a letter from a recommender knowledgeable in practicum placement and who can specifically recommend Advanced Standing status is acceptable.
Transfer Applicants
- One work, internship, or community-service recommendation
- At least one academic recommendation from a professor in your current MSW program
- One additional recommendation
Credit may be granted toward MSW requirements for work completed at other accredited graduate schools of social work within the past five years:
- 2-year or 3-year MSW Students: Up to one year’s work (maximum 8 courses) for full year completion at accredited social work program
- Related Master’s Degree: Up to 6 credits based on course overlap with our curriculum
- Some Graduate Work: Up to 4 credits for courses with high degree of overlap
Requirements for Transfer Credit:
- Written application to MSW Faculty Director after admission acceptance
- Final official transcripts submitted to admissions office
- Course syllabi for all courses considered for transfer
- Grade of “B” or higher in all courses
- Transfer credit approval before registration
Note: Credits earned concurrently from other institutions will not be transferred unless prior approval is granted by the Faculty Director.
MS in Social Policy (MSSP)
The MSSP program values applicants whose academic, professional, volunteer, or internship experiences demonstrate an interest in social policy and creating meaningful social change.
Applicants should have:
- A bachelor’s degree
- A strong academic record
- A demonstrated interest in social policy, social justice, and/or social justice-oriented policy
Policy-related experience is preferred but not required. Relevant professional, volunteer, research, and internship experiences are taken into consideration during the admissions review process.
Applicants must submit:
- Two academic recommendations
- One employment or volunteer recommendation
Applicants to the MSSP+DA program must meet all MSSP admissions requirements and should also have:
- Prior coursework or work experience in statistical analysis
- A demonstrated interest in data analytics discussed in the application essay
No prior coding or programming experience is required. Applicants should apply directly to the MSSP+DA program, as students admitted to the standard MSSP program should not expect to transfer into MSSP+DA later. Applicants to the MSSP+DA who do not meet MSSP+DA admissions requirements may be eligible for and accepted into the MSSP program.
MS in Nonprofit Leadership (NPL)
The MS in Nonprofit Leadership program is designed for individuals seeking to advance their leadership and management skills within nonprofit organizations and mission-driven sectors.
Applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Demonstrate strong academic achievement and potential for graduate study
Applicants must submit:
- One academic recommendation
- One employment or volunteer recommendation
- One additional academic, employment, or volunteer recommendation
Eligibility for the NPL Accelerated program is for applicants who have completed one of the three executive programs offered by the Center of Social Impact Strategy in partnership with SP2 and our University peers. Applicants must submit a recommendation from the Executive Program they completed. These Executive programs included:
- Executive Program in Social Innovation Design (XSD)(opens in a new tab) in partnership with the Weitzman School of Design
- Executive Program in Digital Media for Social Impact (DMSI)(opens in a new tab) in partnership with the Annenberg School for Communication
- Executive Program in Social Impact Strategy(opens in a new tab)
Non-Degree Applicants
Non-degree status is available to students who wish to enroll in a class without applying to a degree program. Each of SP2’s Master’s programs allow non-degree students to enroll in some courses.
Master of Social Work
Non-degree students are permitted to take up to 6 courses in the MSW program.
Master of Science in Social Policy
Non-degree students are permitted to take up to 2 courses in the MSSP program.
Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership
Non-degree students are permitted to take up to 2 courses in the NPL program.
The SP2 Registrar’s Office will contact admitted non-degree students with information about available course options and the registration process.
Application Process
To apply as a non-degree student, you must submit an online application. While letters of recommendation are not required for non-degree students, the supporting documents of a brief personal statement and a resume are required. Students are required to submit transcripts detailing all undergraduate and postgraduate study in accordance with the School’s transcript policy. SP2 cannot provide University-sponsored student visa documentationfor non-degree courses.
For application deadlines, contact the SP2 Admissions team.
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